Chinese Silk and the Silk Road

Where does silk come from?

The silk worm farmers picking cocoons.

Richness of silk is compared to none

Ancient trading route from China through Arabic countries into Europe

As early as 300 BC, there were trading caravans carrying silk to the western edges of the country and traded with the local tribes there. In 130 左右 the Han Dynasty began to send army to protect the caravans along the silk route,

thus the official silk route was established.

The 7000 mile route ran from China, Central Asia, Northern India, and the Parthian and Roman Empires. It connected the Yellow River Valley to

the Mediterranean Sea and passed through places such as Chinese cities Kansu and Sinkiang and present-day countries Iran, Iraq and Syria.

An ancient town flourished on the route, but by the end of14th it declined and the trade decreased. This

became a ghost town.

Silk is not the only commodity traded into west Asia and Europe. There are tea, porcelain and Chinese spices in addition to silk.

In China, Silk remained to be the favorite textile for the privileged imperial family and the rich people.

Question for you to think about:

Why do you think the silk route declined by the end of the 14th century?